Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, following the statement that mineworkers suffering from pneumoconiosis are to receive additional compensation, she has any plans to provide similar assistance to other sufferers from this disease who have been employed outside the mining industry.
§ Mr. O'MalleyMy right hon. Friend's responsibilities with regard to pneumoconiosis sufferers are those which arise under the Industrial Injuries Scheme. We have no proposals, whether in respect of miners or other workers, for giving higher benefits under that scheme for pneumoconiosis than for other industrial diseases. The compensation scheme proposed in the interim report of the coal industry examination, which is being discussed between the National Coal Board and the mining unions, is an alternative to miners pursuing claims for common law damages against the National Coal Board in the courts and has no wider application.